How to Clean Keg Lines Effectively Using these 4 Principles

It's no secret that clean keg lines deliver great-tasting beer. But how do you go about cleaning your beer lines every time? What's a Standard Operating Procedure for this?

There are different ways to clean keg lines. But the most effective methods keep these 4 Fundamentals in mind. Time, Temperature, Mechanical Action and Chemical Action. By following these four Principles in your cleaning. A beer line cleaner can ensure that keg lines are clean, free of contaminants and beer will taste as it should.

4 Factors that Affect How Keg Lines Stay Cleaned

Time

When it comes to cleaning keg lines, time is of the essence. Depending on the type of beer line cleaning. Will determine the amount of time needed for cleaning solution to work in the beer lines. With a recirculating pump we advise 15-20 mins of recirculating 2-3 % caustic solution inside the draft beer system.

If a cleaner is using a static clean with a cleaning keg or hand pump for a kegerator. We recommend at least 20 mins. This will give the solution the time needed to do its work inside the beer line.

Temperature

The temperature of solution you use for cleaning is important. Depending on the type of cleaner. Will determine the right water temperature. It's recommended with a warm water cleaning solution (around 80- 110 degrees Fahrenheit). Is best to loosen up any build-up or contaminants.

But there is a limit to how hot the water can be for cleaning keg lines. If cleaners go too hot they will compromise the vinyl jumper lines in the system, and damage the beer system.

However, there are cold water cleaners that work just as well as the warm water ones for draft beer systems. I recommend using these so they won't damage the inside walls of vinyl beer lines.

Mechanical Action

Mechanical action is important for loosening up any build-up or contaminants in the lines. There are a couple different ways to achieve this. You can use a cleaning keg and run solution through the beer lines. Best for a kegerator. Or you can use the best method in the industry and that's using a recirculating pump. Recirculating pumps are 80x more effective than standard static cleans. This is what most professionals use in our industry.

Chemical Action

This includes the type of chemical used for the beer cleaning, and the percentage of the chemical used. . Typically a beer line cleaner will do a caustic clean with a 2-3% solution. 2 % for standard cleans and 3% for heavy cleaning on neglected beer systems. Remember to get the right ratio for cleans correct. Or you will have to compensate for a longer cleaning time with a mechanical circulation inside the beer system.

How Time, Temperature, Mechanical Action, and Chemical Action Work Together

When it comes to cleaning your keg lines. It's important to use the right combination of time, temperature, mechanical action, and chemical action. This will deliver the best results. Time is important for keeping track of the working chemical solution. Temperature is important for loosening up any build-up or contaminants. Depending on the cleaning solution used. Mechanical action is important for breaking up any build-up or contaminants. And chemical action is important for removing any build-up or contaminants. By using all four of these factors together, you can ensure that your lines are clean and free of any organic unwanted material in beer.

How to Apply These Factors When Cleaning Your Keg Lines

Now that you understand the four factors that play a role in how keg lines are cleaned. It's important to apply them when cleaning draft lines.

1. Time: It's important to clean your lines with the right amount of time. We need to give the cleaning solution the right time to do its work. If the clean is less than 15-20 mins with a recirculating pump. The beer cleaner isn't cleaning the system effectively. For a Static clean with no pump a minimum time of 20 mins is recommended.

2. Temperature: Use warm water (around 80- 110 degrees Fahrenheit) to loosen up any build-up or contaminants. If using a cold water caustic like MicroMatic's cool water is fine and what I'd recommend. Remember water that is to warm can damage the beer system itself.

3. Mechanical Action: Use a cleaning keg and run solution through the beer lines, or use a recirculating pump. The best action is the use of a recirculating pump to clean lines effectively.

4. Chemical Action: Use a beer line cleaner that will provide the right chemical action to remove any build-up inside the beer system. 2-3% solution of caustic every 2 weeks. 1% Acid clean solution once every quarter.

By following these four factors and applying them when cleaning your keg lines, you can be sure that your lines are always clean and free of any build-up.

Summary

Cleaning your beer lines is an important process in order to maintain the quality of your beer. There are different ways to clean beer lines. But the most effective methods consider these 4 Factors. Time, Temperature, Mechanical Action and Chemical Action.

By using all four of these factors together, you can ensure that your beer lines are clean and ready to serve great beer, a brewer would be proud of.

If you have any other questions regarding beer line cleaning feel free to reach out to us here. Lastly, if you need some help in beer line cleaning we would be happy to help you and bring you on as a client.

Cheers!